Anthopleura elegantissima

Super Group: 
Eukaryota
Phylum: 
Cnidaria
Class: 
Anthozoa
Order: 
Actiniaria
Family: 
Actiniidae
Genus: 
Anthopleura
Species: 
elegantissima
Authority: 
Brandt, 1835
Synonym(s): 
Actinia elegantissima Brandt, 1835
Anthopleura elegantisima
Anthpleura elegantissima
Bunodactis elegantissima (Brandt, 1835)
Cribrina elegantissima (Brandt, 1835)

Diagnosis

Rradiating lines on oral disk, up to 8 cm across tentacular crown. Column is greenish to white in color, often covered with shell debris. Tentacles are greenish to pinkish in color .
It is usually fairly small, though it can reach up to 8 cm in diamter and 15 cm tall. It has an olive green column lined with rows of tubercles, which can give it a ribbed or bumpy appearance. the oral disc is olive green with radiating stripes, and is encircled by five rings of green tentacles. these tentacles are usually tipped in bright pink (or sometimes blue or lavender) ; the colour of the tentacle tips is visible as a colourful ring when the tentacles are retracted. 
 

 

Ecology

Grow on rocks and others hard surfaces as pilings. Colonies tend to accumulate sediment and shell bits, so individuals may be partially burried in sand. This species is found in the intertidal and shallow subtidal areas of semi exposed shorelines. Its range streches along the west coast of North America from Alaska to California

Life cycle

This species forms clonal colonies, and the budding of a new individual within this colony may be witnessed mid-split. 

Observation site(s)

SYMBIONTS

Displaying 1 - 1 of 1
Association with... Region origin Name of site In reference...
Symbiodinium sp. California Pacific Grove